Background of the assignment:

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is the guardian of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), the main international instrument in the fight against transnational organized crime. The Convention is further supplemented by three Protocols which target specific areas and manifestations of organized crime: the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children; the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air; and the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition. Its purpose is to promote cooperation to prevent and combat transnational organized crime more effectively. The UNODC is also the guardian of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) which covers five main areas: preventive measures, criminalization and law enforcement, international cooperation, asset recovery, and technical assistance and information exchange.

Through the GLOU68 programme, UNODC specifically works to facilitate meaningful participation of relevant stakeholders in the UNTOC Review process. Over the past years, UNODC has engaged with CSOs in the sessions of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ), the United Nations Crime Congress and the Conference of the Parties to UNTOC (CoP UNTOC), developing a network of some 500 CSOs working on issues related to crime prevention.

To ensure regional engagement with relevant stakeholders in the implementation of UNTOC, the UNODC Civil Society Unit (CSU) together with UNODC’s country and regional office in Southern Africa, is implementing the project Building the capacity of civil society to engage in the UNTOC, its review mechanism and related activities.  The Project’s main objective is to allow UNODC to prepare NGOs, private sector, and academia to support Member States in a successful implementation of the UNTOC Review Mechanism and to facilitate their broad and inclusive participation in the review process in accordance with Resolution 9/1, including “constructive dialogues”.

To implement the project, the UNODC CSU works closely with other substantive offices, mainly the Organized Crime Branch (OCB) in the Division for Treaty Affairs (DTA) and engages with relevant umbrella NGOs such as the NGO Alliance on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (NGO Alliance), the UNCAC Coalition and the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime (GI). The NPO will be embedded within a UNODC Country/Regional office, working in close collaboration to support the Organizations’ country and regional civil society stakeholder engagement.

As part of the project, a training toolkit has been developed for dedicated SE4U trainings which took place in 2020 online, covering 69 countries from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.  The aim of the ongoing trainings and workshops is to prepare NGOs, academia, and the private sector for the implementation of the UNTOC review mechanism, including a strategic component on how they can constructively work with Member States. In 2021, a self-paced online version of this course was launched. Additionally, more trainings are being conducted on Stakeholder Engagement in the Self-Assessment Questionnaire of the Review Mechanism of the UNTOC, engaging Civil Society from around the world. An online knowledge hub – WhatsOn – for NGOs, private sector and academics working on countering organized crime has been developed as a platform for these stakeholders to exchange and share counter-organized crime knowledge. 

Purpose of the assignment:

In close collaboration with the CSU team and UNODC’s Regional Office, under the supervision of the Programme Officer and in collaboration with the SE4U project team, the National Project Assistant will be responsible for the following components of the SE4U project:

• Administratively support the establishment of the Regional Networks.
• Provide administrative support to the organization and delivery of trainings and workshops
• Assist with organization of pilot initiatives in targeted countries under review.
• Facilitate, where feasible, “constructive dialogues” in the context of the UNTOC review mechanism.
• Supporting the meaningful participation of relevant stakeholders in the UNTOC review process.
• Liaise between the Civil Society Unit and the UNODC’s Country/Regional office, relevant governmental stakeholders, and civil society representatives in the region.
• Liaise with relevant UNODC offices in Vienna and in the field, other SE4U regional and thematic focal points as well as with relevant NGOs, academics, and the private sector in the region.
• Support the mapping process of relevant stakeholders in the respective region, with the view to include them in WhatsOn.
• Support the delivery of the targeted SE4U trainings in 2022.
• Support the organization of the Pilot Initiative meetings in selected countries under review.
• Administratively support the organization and coordination of stakeholder engagement activities with UNODC Country/Regional Offices and other thematic and regional SE4U Focal Points to mobilize local/regional resources to assist in initiatives undertaken by NGOs, academics and the private sector linked to the review process.
• Support the establishment of SE4U Regional Networks (SE4U-RNs) in the respective region.
• Coordinate networking activities of the SE4U-RN in the respective region.
• Provide administrative support to Programme implementation of UNODC Maputo Programme Office
• Identify and draft impact stories from the region.
• Perform relevant UMOJA functions
•  Perform other project support duties as assigned by the Head of the Administration Unit.

Professionalism:

• Expertise in project administration and organization including sound knowledge and understanding of concepts and approaches relevant to budgetary and financial management.
• Knowledge of the financial rules and regulations of the United Nations as well as familiarity with UN policies and procedures as they relate to programme budgeting and financial administration.
• Demonstrated professional competence and mastery of administrative processes.
• Ability to perform a range of administrative functions, including event planning and organizing and human resources administration.
• Ability to map out potential risks and make contingencies, as required. Shows pride in work and achievements.
• is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results.
• is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns.
• shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges, and demonstrable commitment to the values of the United Nations, particularly integrity in daily activities and behaviors.

Accountability:

Takes ownership of responsibilities and honors commitments.

• Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost, and quality standards.
• Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; takes responsibility for delegated assignments.
• Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Teamwork:

• Proven interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Works collaboratively with colleagues within and outside of UNODC to achieve organizational goals.
• Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise.
• Willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position.
• Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

ONLY CURRENT MOZAMBICAN NATIONALS AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT IN MOZAMBIQUE AND THROUGHOUT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN MOZAMBIQUE, ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION. ALL OTHER APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Application requirements:

All Applicants MUST complete and attach the UNDP Personal History-P-11 Form (found here) to their applications in the vacancy site. 

Submission of personal resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) will not be acceptable and candidates who fail to attach the above required P-11 form will not be considered.

Educational Qualifications:

• Completion of High school/secondary school is required.
• First level university degree in business or public administration, personnel administration, social sciences, or related field will be a strong recommendation, but not a requirement.
• Secondary education with relevant work experience may be considered.

Work experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience in financial and budgetary management support and in providing assistance for project implementation and management, preferably in a civil service, NGO, or international organization environment, is required.
• Work experience in the United Nations System, other regional and international organizations or NGO would be an asset.
• Previous experience in a project or donor environment would be an advantage.
• Computer literacy, specifically skills in MS Office is required.
• Knowledge of various administrative procedures of UNODC or the United Nations system in general would be an advantage.

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
• For the position advertised, fluency in English and Portuguese (both oral and written) is a requirement; knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset.

UNDP STRONGLY ENCOURAGES QUALIFIED WOMEN TO APPLY FOR AVAILABLE POSITIONS FOR WHICH THEY MEET THE STATED MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.